Head coach Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are still searching for answers after two more players were arrested for driving-related incidents this spring.
Shortly after the Bulldogs began spring practice, sophomore wide receiver Nitro Tuggle was arrested for misdemeanor speeding and reckless driving after being clocked traveling 107 miles per hour on the loop outside of Athens.
Additionally, second-year offensive lineman Marques Easley was arrested on three misdemeanor charges of reckless conduct after crashing his car into an apartment close to Athens.
Georgia has suspended both players indefinitely. The Bulldogs have been the subject of more than 20 driving-related arrests since a fatal crash killed offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy in January of 2023.
One of the best players in the history of Georgia football, former All-American defensive end and first-round pick David Pollack addressed the situation on his show “CFB with DP.”
David Pollack celebrates with Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) after Georgia won the College Football Playoff National Championship game Joshua L. Jones
David Pollack celebrates with Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) after Georgia won the College Football Playoff National Championship game Joshua L. Jones
Unfortunately, “there is no solution” to the high-profile problem at UGA, according to Pollack.
“There is no solution,” Pollack said. “Here’s what’s happening now, the kids are getting fined, which is good. If you don’t know, we live really close to this and there’s this Athens loop and it’s Loop 10. It goes around the perimeter here of the Athens area. From what I understand, I’ve heard a bunch of good stories now about how they’ll basically time themselves going around the loop, which is extremely dangerous. Not good. Not smart. But, you know, back in the day, we didn’t have these cars because we didn’t have this money. So, mo money mo problems, right?”
Smart and his staff have instituted driving courses and informational classes on the dangers of reckless driving. And suspensions, along with NIL penalties. have been used in the past. But those efforts aren’t “sinking in” from Pollack’s perspective.
“And I can tell you this from talking to people at the school, plenty of speakers that have come in with lost loved ones,” Pollack said. “Plenty of cops that have come in. Plenty of people that have told stories… It’s not sinking in. I don’t understand it but I do understand it because I understand being young, dumb, and invincible. I remember that feeling untouchable. I was too scared to do this – I just wouldn’t have done it because of that.”
The issue isn’t entirely a Georgia problem, as programs across the country have their fair share of off-field arrests and incidents. But that doesn’t take away the spotlight on UGA.
“But I just don’t think there’s anything you can do,” Pollack said. “Fine. Kick them off the team. Suspend them indefinitely. That’s the kind of stuff you can do. Listen, that takes a paycheck away, probably. Take some of that money away and that’s probably a start. But, otherwise, I promise you Kirby probably would have figured it out.”
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